Abstract
MR. FARRAR'S interesting communication on this subject in a recent number of NATURE, suggests to me a few remarks. As one who has paid considerable attention to the various dialects existing throughout Scotland, as well as to the manner in which our Gaelic-speaking population is by stern necessity obliged to attempt the pronunciation of Anglo-Saxon words, I have become thoroughly convinced that the growth, life, and death of languages are subject to fixed laws. The Highlander whom I meet and who tells me this is a “Koot tay” is as unconsciously obeying Grimm's law of the transposition of consonants as the sun above him is obeying Newton's law of gravitation.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
J., S. Philology and Darwinism. Nature 2, 66 (1870). https://doi.org/10.1038/002066a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/002066a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.